Praline Cookies

Sorry. I begin this post with a huge apology for giving you a recipe for absolutely irresistible cookies. These are SO SO good. I got the recipe off a food blog a couple of months ago, and now don't remember whose. They are definitely on my list of Ten Best Cookie Recipes that I have.

Note: Be sure when you're browning the butter to put it in a BIG saucepan or it will boil over.

2 cups browned butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups flour

2/3 cups chopped pecans

1/2 cup pecan halves (or you can use 1/3 cup chopped pecans- pictured)

Preheat oven to 350. Place four sticks butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Melt, cook and stir frequently for about 5-8 minutes until butter is a deep brown with small flecks. Butter will melt, then bubble and foam, then starts to turn dark. Watch carefully at this point. Remove when brown. Take out 1/2 cup and set aside for the frosting.

Slightly cool the butter and mix it with the brown sugar. Beat until it is no longer hot, then add eggs, vanilla, soda, baking powder, and salt. Beat thoroughly. Add the flour and pecans.

Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Don't over bake. Frost with Brown Butter Frosting when cool and put a pecan half or chopped pecans on top of each cookie. Makes 4-5 dozen.

Brown Butter Frosting

1/2 cup reserved brown butter

2 tsp. vanilla (I always add a little more vanilla than it calls for)

3 cups powdered sugar (more or less)

1/4 cup hot water

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Add a little hot water if it's too thick.

Sorry.